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Instagram Updates App to Support iPhone 5 and iOS 6

After the launch of the iPhone (News - Alert) 5 and iOS 6, a lot of apps have been updated to support the two. Google Chrome was recently updated to support the latest iPhone and iOS. The latest to join that list with its own update is Instagram, the popular free photo-sharing program and social network.

Instagram 3.1 is available to download for free from Apple's App Store and is compatible with devices running IOS 4.3 and above, the photo sharing app wrote in a tweet. According to Instagram, there would be updates for iOS 6, iPhone 5 and Android (News - Alert) 3.1 coming soon.

The update v3.1 takes advantage of the iPhone 5's larger 4-inch extra screen space, improving the photo browsing experience. Although the interface has not changed, you can now see more content and snaps of people posing.

The last Instagram update – version 3.0 – was released last month for iOS and Android users, with the addition of an interactive "photo map." The feature lets users plot on a world map where their images were taken, creating a sort of geographic album. Version 3 also included speed improvements for a more responsive app, especially on newer devices, as well as the ability to now report individual comments as abuse or spam.

IOS apps not optimized for the iPhone 5’s larger screen space feature black bars at the top and bottom.

Other changes include a faster and easier registration process, improved password recovery and the usual influx of bug fixes.

It also updates the registration process for new users and features a new login page. Users, however, cannot log in with their Facebook (News - Alert) account and need to sign in using an Instagram account. They can, however, use their Facebook information on their Instagram profile.

This Instagram update comes just weeks after Facebook completed its acquisition of the company for a whopping $1 billion. Facebook also emphasized in a blog post that Instagram will remain a standalone app and will keep Instagram completely separate from its business.

The social network went on to say that they were committed to building and growing Instagram independently. Instagram will continue to serve its community, and they will help Instagram continue to grow by using Facebook's strong engineering team and infrastructure.

The Next Web, in its report, pointed out that the update for the iPhone 5 does not feature live filter options. It reported that the capture mode is a bit awkward, as Instagram’s square capture window isn’t really able to take advantage of the larger screen. Also, curiously, the live filtration options seem to be gone on the iPhone 5 after update to the latest version.

Reports on the Web say it could be due to a bug or a glitch.

PCMag, however, reported that the upgrade also sports improved password recovery, a redesigned registration flow, bug fixes and other improvements, according to the Apple iTunes Store description.

It does seem that Instagram is what all the kids are talking about – and not just the "rich kids on summer break." Business Insider investigated as six people ages 17 to 26 used Facebook. What they discovered was that the panel universally found some of Facebook’s features to be flawed, like Timeline (News - Alert).

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